This year is the fourth year running that the University of Lincoln has improved its score in the table, which is published in The Guardian newspaper. Overall, Lincoln received a 2:1 grading for its environmental efforts.

The success follows a concerted campaign by staff and students at the University to reduce energy use, cut carbon emissions and adopt more environmentally friendly practices.

Awareness campaigns and installation of more efficient heating and lighting systems have helped to cut electricity consumption by around five per cent in one year on the main Brayford Pool campus. The University has also been working to encourage greener transport. It has linked up with transport charity Sustrans to develop a cycling promotion scheme where students can hire bikes and sign up for cycling activities.

Dan Clayton, Environmental Manager at the University of Lincoln, said "It's great news that our work to reduce our impact on the environment has been reflected in the People & Planet Green League 2011.“Over the last few years we have worked very hard to reduce the University's energy consumption. This has had a double benefit in that it has kept energy costs under control and has reduced emissions of carbon dioxide. “In addition, we have updated our environmental policy and developed an environmental action plan that sets out how we will improve our performance in areas such as transport, waste management and encouraging wildlife."